Removing gear knob/gaiter on a 1995 C180?

[Jamesie]

As it says above - I've purchased a new gaiter for my 1995 C180 and wondered whether anyone had any tips on removing the existing one?

Not as easy as I had expected, and I see this seems to be the experience from owners of other models; I haven't seen this done on a 1995 C180 yet though.

Cheers

James

 

[JasM]

Take a look at this thread.

 

[Jamesie]

Ta - my searching skills need working on!!

 

[para alpha]

It depends on what type! Some have a twist fitting at the bottom of the knob, some have the screw on type.

 

[Jamesie]

It depends on what type! Some have a twist fitting at the bottom of the knob, some have a the screw on type.

Thats what I'm finding! Its a C180 Espirit if that makes any difference?

 

[para alpha]

Thats what I'm finding! Its a C180 Espirit if that makes any difference?

Yes mate yours is the same as mine, is the gear knob rubber? if it is, it's a screw on. There is a large nut under the gear knob, undo this first and it will be easyer to remove. BTW if you find anywhere that does the rubber screw on type, I'll be grateful to hear about it.

JOhn

 

[Jamesie]

Don't think its rubber mate, will have another look in the morning.

 

[Jamesie]

Nah, its a plastic one, and, having taken the plunge of cutting back the old gaiter, I'm still stumped! A photo may assist.

I'm reading a lot about this large nut; is this actually located where the last remnants of the top of the gaiter are in my picture i.e. when I cut this back fully will there be a nut to latch a spanner onto?

Also, anyone got any ideas how to get the base portion of the gaiter off? I would have thought the plastic square would just pop out and allow the new gaiter to be placed underneat it but it doesn't seem to be that easy.

James

 

[Dec]

Cant help with the knob but this may be useful... http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=49085

Dec

 

[Jamesie]

Thanks - that could solve the issue with the tray, even though its a different set up. Still need to work out how to get the knob off as the gaiter won't go over it!

 

[Dec]

Looking at your picture there are 1 or 2 collars at the base of the knob so the must either pull down? or twist, maybe a quarter turn? to reveal a nut?

You should use a mirror to have a good look first but the above seems the only logical way it might work.

Dec

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Thats the same as my C230K just twist the lower part of the gear knob (the bit below the gaiter thats normally hidden) a quarter of a turn and it should just pull off, it maybe quite hard to come off.
Can I ask why you cut the gaiter off that way you only had to release the gaiter frame and lift it over the the gear knob to access the locking collar to remove it.
I managed to get a new gear knob and gaiter off of e-bay (don,t come up very often), from Merc they can be quite expensive.

 

[Jamesie]

Hi,
Thats the same as my C230K just twist the lower part of the gear knob (the bit below the gaiter thats normally hidden) a quarter of a turn and it should just pull off, it maybe quite hard to come off.
Can I ask why you cut the gaiter off that way you only had to release the gaiter frame and lift it over the the gear knob to access the locking collar to remove it.
I managed to get a new gear knob and gaiter off of e-bay (don,t come up very often), from Merc they can be quite expensive.

See this is where I get stuck - hence the bizarre cutting! When you say gaiter frame I take it you mean the frame at the bottom of the gearstick? I haven't yet worked out how to get this frame off - anyone got any ideas on how to release this?

Bought the gaiter off e-bay too, just needing to fit it now! Getting the frame off must be my first move. Presumably I am able to attach the new gaiter to the old frame?

 

[para alpha]

See this is where I get stuck - hence the bizarre cutting! When you say gaiter frame I take it you mean the frame at the bottom of the gearstick? I haven't yet worked out how to get this frame off - anyone got any ideas on how to release this?

Bought the gaiter off e-bay too, just needing to fit it now! Getting the frame off must be my first move.

My one just needed pulling out! Just put your fingers underneath through the hole of the console and pull it away at one side. The twist/bayonet release, Use some insulation tape and wrap it round the release and use pipe grips to twist it, there are very tight! Once it comes off just pull it up and the knob will come off. You will also notice that there is another ring/collar. You will need some small screw drivers to compress the locking tangs that hold the collar on and that will come straight off! The fit the gaiter replace the collar and Bob's your mothers brother!
If I find my spare, I'll post up some photos.

 

[para alpha]

Right here are some photos I hope they help!

Locking collar removed.

Top view, note the 4 locking tangs.

Side view of the 4 locking tangs and the gaiter retaining collar. Tape this too, twist and pull this off.

Gaiter retaining collar

Gaiter retaining collar removed!

 

[Jamesie]

Thanks very much for going to the time to take those pictures piper_alpha - I shall try again tomorrow evening!

 

[para alpha]

Thanks very much for going to the time to take those pictures piper_alpha - I shall try again tomorrow evening!

No problem, Happy to help a fellow forum member

 

[Jamesie]

Managed to get the knob off, get the gaiter changed on the frame, but its getting the damned gaiter retaining collar back on the gear knob thats the problem now!

I've turned the gaiter inside out and put the locking collar at the base of the stick. The difficulty seems to be the shape of the stick. At the top of the stick, the gaiter retaining collar will clip onto the tangs with no problems.

However, as the stick gets thicker the tangs naturally expand, which makes it impossible to get the gaiter retaining collar to clip round them! Yes, it gets narrower at the base, but not enough to get the retainer on it and ensure there is enough of the gaiter "caught" to ensure a snug fit.

Any tips or is it just a case of constant trial and error?!

 

[para alpha]

Managed to get the knob off, get the gaiter changed on the frame, but its getting the damned gaiter retaining collar back on the gear knob thats the problem now!

I've turned the gaiter inside out and put the locking collar at the base of the stick. The difficulty seems to be the shape of the stick. At the top of the stick, the gaiter retaining collar will clip onto the tangs with no problems.

However, as the stick gets thicker the tangs naturally expand, which makes it impossible to get the gaiter retaining collar to clip round them! Yes, it gets narrower at the base, but not enough to get the retainer on it and ensure there is enough of the gaiter "caught" to ensure a snug fit.

Any tips or is it just a case of constant trial and error?!

Stupid question? Are you trying to fit the gaiter retaining collar while the gear knob is fitted to the stick?

 

[Jamesie]

Stupid question? Are you trying to fit the gaiter retaining collar while the gear knob is fitted to the stick?

Yes - I've got the locking collar on the stick, then I'm placing the gaiter retaining collar on the stick. Thereafter I'm putting the knob into the gaiter (which is inside out) and trying to get the tangs at the end of the knob to coalign wih the retaining collar - which I do while putting the knob on the stick. Therein lies the difficulty!